Lighting fixture



Aug. 21, 1945- R. G. MAURETTE I LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed June 19, 1943INVENTOR. R's/YE 6i NAURETTE BY mm A TTORNE Y was Aug. 21, 1945 b UNITEDsTA'rss PATENT ors cs Ren G. Maurette, Beverly, Masa, aslignor toSylvania Electric Products 1110., Salem, Mass a corporation oiMassachusetts 4 Application June 19, 1943, Serial Mit 191.7 40 -1 Claim.(01. zio-rsy taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, inwhich: I

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a Joinder embodying this invention;

Figure 2 is an enlargement of the joining unit .of Figure 1, broken awayto show the details thereof;

Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the parts of the joining unitof Figures land 2; and

Figure 4 is a side elevation of .the lower of two parts in Figure 3.

In the mounting of fluorescent lighting fixtures inposition of use, itis desirable in many instances to arrange them in close end to endalignment, so that the efiect is comparable to that of having a singlelong fixture.

This invention provides a bracket assembly unit for joining the adjacentends of such fixtures. It provides proper alignment and rigidity to thefixture mountings, and makes it possible to distribute the fixturesupports with regard to the fixture group as a whole rather than simplywith regard to a single fixture. Thus, for example, a single support maybe used for both of the adjoining ends of adjacent fixtures.

As in Figure 1, fixtures 1, 2, and 3 are joined in end to end relationby bracket assemblies, as at 4. A single support 5 may be used tosupport the adjacent ends of the fixtures I and 2, or a similar support6 for the adjacent ends of fixtures 2 and 3. The bracket assemblies 4eflectively unite the fixtures I, 2, and-3 to form a continuous andunitary assembly.

The fixtures comprise housings I, reflectors 8, and fluorescent lamps 9supported by lamp sockets I 0.

A bracket assembly I is shown in separated parts in Figure 3, and inoperative relation with a pair of lighting fixtures, in Figure 2. Theaction of the bracket assemblies is applied directly and exclusively tothe housings l 01' the fixtures. The

bracket assembly comprises an upper plate I l and wing nuts i4 threadedthereon. The bracket assembly has two. main holding functions withrespect to the fixture housings 7. One is a positive anchoring or thehousings against separation movement in the direction of theirlongitudinal axes, as accomplished by the lower plate l2; and

the other is a clamping action in which portions of the housings i areheld, above and below, between the upper and lower plates ii and i2.

' For the accomplishment oi the first of the above holding functions,the housings are provided with end openings iii, and the lower plate I!is provided with upwardly extending edge flanges it which are insertedthrough the housing end openings Ii and engage the inner end surfaces llof the housings l as shown in Figure 2.

For the accomplishment oi the second of the above functions, the upperplate ii is dimensioned to overlie the opening between the adjoiningfixtures and to overlap so as to engage the tops of the fixtures. Theplate ii is provided with leg extensions I8 in further engagement of thetops of the fixtures. In furtherance of this function the fixtures areengaged irom below in their end openings Ii by the lower plate II as ati9. With the wing nuts H tightened on the bolts i3, the fixtures aretightly clamped between the upper and lower plates II and I 2.

The joined fixtures are held against relative lateral movement withrespect to each other in part by the fact that the lower plate I2 hasits flanges i6 extending the full lateral length of the housing endopenings l5, as shown in Figure 2. Further provision against suchrelative lateral movement of the housings and also against relativetwisting in a horizontal plane, is embodied in the strap members 20which may be formed by knocking up portions of the tops of the housings,and-in which the ends of the plate leg extensions I8 are received inclose fitting relation. In addition, the upper plate II is provided withcentral flanges 2i which lie between the raised portions 22 of thefixture housing top as a further aid in holding the bracket assembly andthe fixture housings held thereby, in proper position.

'A degree of resiliency is aflorded the bracket assembly through theformation of the upper level of its fixture contacting edges 23. Thisar- I rangement also provides an increased strength a lower plate i2,held together by bolts It with factor. Openings 24 are formed in theupper plate leg extensions l8 to provide access to the portion of thefixture housing top immediately therebeneath. This is to admit a screwdriver or cross bar 21. The

other tool to screws, bolts or other holding means for the ably locatedjust beneath the leg extensions II.

The leg extensions ll each start from the raised-central portionof theupper plate Ii. taper downward, and then-are flattened out to provide anend surface area for contact with the tops of the fixture housinga. v

The lower plate I! is provided with a central raised portion 2' whichhas the double function of giving added strength to the plate and actingas an inner stop and guide for the fixture housing end portions held bythe flanges I}! of the lower plate I 2.

The lower pending ends plate I! is further provided with de- 20 assupports for a flat flexible bar 21 is hinged to one of the dependingends 26 as at 28, and may be snapped in or out of an opening in theother of the depending ends 26 through the resiliency of the bar and thebevel formation as at 2! on the end of the bar.

The purpose of this arrangement is to provide a support for the fixturewires in going between fixtures to power the circuits thereof. Thesewires may thus be'carried along above the reflectors and within thefixture housings with eflicient ure lamp sockets II which areprefersupport between flxtures. Toinsert or remove such wires the crossbar 21 is snapped down about its hinge as at II, and thereafter snappedup into place again. I

' As may be seen in Figure 2, the bolts it are headed at both ends. withthe wing nuts thus permanently assembled thereon. This provides aclamping unit. comprising upper and lower plates, which may be loosened,but which will not come completely apart.

The spacing between adjacent reflectors achieved by my invention ishelpful in allowing ventilation to carry away heat produced by thelamps, which have a definite temperature for maximum efliciency.

What I claim is:

In a fluorescent lighting fixture assembly, readily mountable anddemountable joining means for securing one fixture to another in end toend relation: said Joining means comprising a top plate having legsextending therefrom to engage said fixtures, a bottom plate mounted atleast in part between the ends 01 said fixtures, and means for Joiningsaid top and bottom plates, to lock said fixtures therebetween.

RENE o. MAURE'I'I'E.

